On February 13, 2007 the members of the Muslim-Christian Peacemakers' Association (MCPA) CC of Tala, Caloocan City in Metro Manila were awarded the seed capital for their individual livelihood projects.

Five thousand pesos were given to each member who have applied and undergone training under the Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran (“progress”) or SEA-K Livelihood Program offered by the Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD). The moment the members will be able to return the seed loan to the government within the next 6 months they are entitled to the next level of loan where the capital is much higher than the first one (about 45,000 pesos each, payable within 3 years free of interest!)

Mr. Lee Collano, Peacemakers’ Circle CC staff and MCPA CC coordinator considered this project a breakthrough since most conflicts in the communities around Metro Manila are tied up with the economic crisis. In this partnership between one of the government’s agency –DSWD-- and the people’s organizations—and through the linking efforts of Peacemakers’ CC-- there is hope for alleviation of poverty and establishment of peace and order in these grassroots areas.

Peacemakers’ Circle CC leader, Ms. Marites Africa, expressed her joy about the project: “It was a happy occasion that afternoon for those of us present in the community to bear witness to the awarding of the funds to each of the members. The joy in their faces (when they came forward to receive the money) was so heartwarming that in my heart I fervently hoped and prayed that their endeavors at setting up their small livelihood businesses would succeed. How wonderful it would be to see our friends there growing in self confidence and sense of empowerment!”

This livelihood assistance of the DSWD that has been made possible through the tireless assistance of Mr. Lee has generated a growth in the membership of the MCPA CC. From 38 members, the number has now swelled to around 60. They have been divided into two groups to facilitate the application process of the SEA-K livelihood program.

Inspired by the workshop-seminar and the National Imams-Priests Dialogue Forum (NIPDF), the imam participants of Tala established the Association of Imams for Dialogue for Peace (AID for Peace). AID for Peace now serves as a model mechanism for ways forward in actively promoting the ongoing endeavor for Imams-Priests Dialogue at the grassroots level.

URI Statement on the Crisis in the Middle East

(Approved by the Standing Committee on behalf of the Global Council ofthe United Religions Initiative)As trustees of the Global Council of the United Religions Initiative, we write to urge an immediate and complete ceasefire of violence that is currently happening in the Middle East, and a commitment by all parties, including the international community and the world's religions, to find the will to complete, implement and invest in a comprehensive peace agreement that will allow current and future generations of Palestinians and Israelis to live their lives in peace.

We write as leaders of the URI, a global interfaith organization active in 70 countries, through the work of 400 member Cooperation Circles. URI's purpose is to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings. We have many members in the Middle East, including Palestinians, Israelis, Jordanians and Egyptians. The URI has consultative status at the UN through ECOSOC.

As leaders of an interfaith organization dedicated to resolving conflict without resorting to violence, we recognize and laud the heroic work of Palestinians, Israelis and peace advocates all over the world who are dedicated to rising above the violence and working for peace, justice and healing.

We believe that a new day is possible when a comprehensive, just peace will allow current and future generations of Palestinians and Israelis to live their lives in peace.

We call on all involved - Israelis and Palestinians, people of other nations, international bodies, religions, and grassroots groups working heroically for peace - to take the following steps to speed the dawning of that day:

* To commit to negotiate, invest in and implement a comprehensive peace agreement that will allow current and future generations of Palestinians and Israelis to live their lives in peace.

* To invest in every means possible to weave a fabric of genuine, mutually honoring community among Palestinians and Israelis at the grassroots level.

* To invest less in armaments and more in social and economic infrastructure.

We commit to do all we are able, beginning with support for URI member Cooperation Circles in Israel and Palestine, and engaging our members around the world to help these steps be fulfilled.

And we commit to pray and meditate that violence will cease, peace prevail and a life of hope be restored to the long-suffering people of this region.

URI Global Youth CC Statement on the current situation in Gaza.

We, the members of the Global Youth Cooperation Circle of the United Religions Initiative, wish to express our concern at the current situation in Gaza. Conflict creates hardship and fear for people on both sides and takes its toll on civilians, both young and old, and the livelihood of communities and economies.

As a youth network we sympathise with our fellows, the young people who are caught up in the crisis, in both Gaza and in the Israeli communities that live in fear of rocket attacks. Young people are the future of any community and we feel that they should not have to live amidst a cycle of violence and hardship. In order for young people to make meaningful and healthy contributions to society, it is imperative that they grow and develop within a space of security and integrity.

We are also concerned about those who are vulnerable in these times, such as the elderly and the sick. They need access to medical resources and clean, safe environments. In times of crisis these people suffer the most because basic facilities are less accessible.

They also need to live without the fear created by constant attacks. This situation is robbing people on both sides of basic human rights that are theirs by international law.

We implore both sides to pursue the path of peace and reconciliation and reduce hostilities so that aid and supplies can reach the people of Gaza to alleviate their suffering and so the Israeli people can live without fear. It is our hope that both sides can cooperate in order to achieve a lasting peace and quality of life for all people. Our goal, as members of a global interfaith community, is to achieve this all over the world.

URI Global Hub Office

SAVE THE DATE!

United Religions Initiative2011 Southeast Asia-Pacific REGIONAL ASSEMBLYin Kuala Lumpur, Malaysiathis October 6-10, 2011Watch out for more information. You may email us at uriseap_regionaloffice@yahoo.com.ph

RECENT NEWS & UPDATES

It is with pleasure that we relay to you the news of the approval of 2 new CCs in our region from the Philippines and Australia, members since 2010.

MCPA

Pakigdait Inc.

Bohol Goodwill Volunteers

Bohol Goodwill Volunteers' CC - Bohol, Philippines

TULAY (bridge)

Trust, Understanding & Learning Among Youth CC - Bohol, Philippines

KALINAW (peace)

Kalinaw CC - Cebu, Philippines

What is a CC?

*A Cooperation Circle (CC) is the basic unit of URI membership and consists of local or virtual groups that include at least seven members and at least three different religions, spiritual paths and indigenous traditions. CC’s organize around local needs and visions and operate within the parameters of the Preamble, Purpose and Principles of URI.

United Religions Initiative - URI

The United Religions Initiative (URI) was founded in 2000 by an extraordinary global community committed to the promotion of enduring daily interfaith dialogue and cooperation to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings. Today, it includes about one million people organized in 400 Cooperation Circles from 70 countries throughout the world representing over 120 different religions, spiritual expressions, and indigenous traditions.